After the NFL Combine, draft boards are beginning to take shape. After accounting for measurements, interviews, and test results, let’s examine a few candidates who excelled in Indianapolis and who might be targeted in April to help strengthen the Atlanta Falcons defense.

Jihaad Campbell – LB, Alabama

Prior to the combine, Campbell was a highly sought-after name, and the prospect did not let anyone down. The linebacker was rated in the first round by many, but not everyone thought he was a top-15 prospect. The tide has changed now.

A team that selects Campbell in the top half of the first round needs him to be a player of that caliber, and Campbell’s combine numbers match those of Fred Warner. The team’s defensive orchestrator or orchestrators determine the value of an off-ball linebacker.

For the previous ten years, the running back has been viewed as the position’s mortal enemy; yet, both seem ready for a resurgence. In 2024, Atlanta was one of the defenses that placed a lot of pressure on their level two defenders. Jeff Ulbrich is a former linebacker himself, and if the Falcons are hell-bent on living in Nickel and Tampa 2, they need to find a linebacker who can play it regularly. By coincidence, one of Campbell’s favorite coverages is Tampa 2.

Billy Bowman – SAF, Oklahoma

Following his success at the Senior Bowl, Bowman’s value has been increasing, and his performance at the combine has cemented his status as an early Day 2 prospect. Despite being just under 5’10”, the former Sooner has the athleticism to compensate, as seen by his 4.42-second 40-yard dash, 10’3″ broad jump, and 35.5″ vertical leap.

A player with sufficient range to play in the slot and as a safety while playing fearlessly against the run is depicted on Bowman’s tape. For the past four years, this staff has appreciated Bowman’s experience, as he has played 2,203 snaps in the last three seasons. If the Falcons lose out on one of the best safeties in this class, Bowman will be a great consolation prize.

Trey Amos – CB, Ole Miss

The corner was able to make the most of his trip to Indianapolis, and Amos is another prospect whose stock was already rising going into the combine. In addition to his traditional outside corner build of 6’1″ and 195 lbs, Amos had a 4.43 40. The corner is notorious for his annoying man coverage and his capacity to erase and adhere to receivers like glue. A closer examination of the movie reveals a physical football player with natural zone instincts.

In less than two weeks, the entire Falcons secondary, save for a few names, will be available as free agents. Amos has the ability to do more than just cover for one of these stopgaps; he can elevate outside corner play opposite AJ Terrell to a level this defense has never seen before.

Zeek Biggers – IDL, Georgia Tech

Does “Biggers,” a 1Tech defensive tackle, need any explanation?

I was first drawn to Zeek on the East-West Shrine Bowl practice field because he is almost 6’6″, 321 pounds, and 34⅞” in arms. Biggers’ impressive vertical (34.5″), broad jump (9’3″), and 40-yard sprint (5.09) demonstrate that he is more than just a bulky man. Thus, he developed a RAS card that Terry Fontenont is keen to add to his collection.

Biggers reportedly weighed 360 pounds when he was playing for Georgia Tech, so it’s clear how committed he is to becoming the best professional he can be that he lost that weight by the time his draft process started. The depth of this defensive tackle class is demonstrated by prospects like Biggers, and since another freak like Biggers will be available later in the draft, there’s no need to reach for a Deone Walker.

Jahdae Barron – DB, Texas

Barron is certain to go in the top 20; some believe he will be in the top 15, but a lot can change before the draft. A nickel defender would seem like a luxury choice, but as Campbell pointed out, Atlanta needs an impact player who can withstand the pressure if they want to put the same kind of pressure on their second-level defenders, and Barron is just that. The tape and the test numbers matched.

At the second and third levels, Baron provides speed and range; he can even work outside depending on the circumstances. His adaptability would help the defense with a number of issues, and the squad would have another playmaker to complement Jessie Bates. Many people consider Barron to be the best secondary prospect, and given the Falcons’ (possible) gaps at cornerback and safety, it’s easy to picture the organization falling in love with the kid at the age of 15.

The Falcons will have many choices to select a quality EDGE rusher throughout the first two days of the draft, even though I didn’t specifically mention any. But while we wait to see what happens, other viewpoints are worth taking into account.

We will soon get a clearer picture of the defense led by Jeff Ublrich’s desired course as free agency approaches. Now that the combine is finished, which additional defensive prospects do you believe are particularly noteworthy?